Self-binding harvester



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. W. BLAKESLEE.

SELE` BINDING HARVESTER.

No. 350,969. Patented Oct. 19, 1886.

N4 PETERS. Phuxo-hmagnunm. wnnngwn. D. C.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. W. BLAKESLEE.

SEEE1 BINDING HARVESTER.

/A/VENTDH By @54 man ATTOH/VEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

G. W. BLAKBSLEE. SELF BINDING HARVESTER.

No. 350,969. Patented Oct. v19, 1886.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Gr. W. BLAKESLBE.

SEEE BINDING HARVESTER.

No. 350,969. Patented 001'.. 19, 1886.

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45 jacent parts in plan.

Unirse gratas Partnr @tirreno GEORGE IVILSON BLAKESLEE, OF PERRY, IO\VA.

SELF-BINDING HARVESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 350,969, dated October 19, 1886.

Application t'lcd November 10, 1585. Serial No. 1:3322. (Yo model.) Y

To all whom may concern-.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE WILSON BLAKESLEE. a citizen of the United States, residing at Perry, in the county ot' Dallas and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Binding Harvestcrs, and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invent-ion relates to self-binding harvesters; and t-he object of the invention is to provide this cla-ss of harvesters with novel means 'for binding with twine, and for automatically tying the knot in the band, and for dropping the sheaf.

To this end my invention consists in the construction and combination of parts forming a knot-tyer, hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a longitudinal vertical section,

partin elevation, of a portion ofa harvester, f

showing my invention attached thereto. Fig. 2 isa front elevation of a portion of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of t-he principal parts of the knotting device which are below the binding-table; and Fig. 4 is an inverted plan view of the saine above the section-line :v x, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing parts of Fig. 3, bearing the saine numbers,frointhe opposite side. Fig. 6 is an inverted plan view of aportion of the knotting device, taken at the section-line y y, Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of part of the sheafdropping device, and Fig. 8 is a sectional side elevation of the same. Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of the knetter, showing the needle in cross section. Fig. 10 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the knotter, showing the cord-holder and portions of adjacent parts. Fig. 1l is a horizontal section of a portion of the cord-holder at line w, Fig. l0, showingad- Fig. l2 is a horizontal section of the knetter-shaft, showing its appendages at line z cVFig. l0. Fig. 13 is a horizontal section of the knetter-shaft, showing some adjacent parts at line 'v o, Figs. 3 and l0. Fig. 14 isa side elevation of the knetter. Fig. 15 is a plan view ofthe looper, showing a portion of the cord-holderin horizontal section. Fig. V16 is a plan view ot' the looper at a different stage of action, showing the knife in horizontal section. Fig. 17 is a transverse vertical section at t t, Fig. l. Fig. 1S is a plan view of a portion of a harvesting-machine, showing the invention on a slightlyreduced scale. Fig. lil is a horizontal scction of the loopershal't at q q, Fig. l0. Fig. 20 is a transverse vertical section of thetwinecutter at the line x a', Fig. 4.

In Order that iny knot-tyer may be fully understood, I iind'it necessary to show in the accompanying drawings some of the accesso ries thereto, such accessories being only gcnerally described herein. The selt'- binding harvester, ot' which portions are shown, was patented to me August 18, 1885, No. 324,524-, application iilcd March 4, 11884., and this application covers matter eliminated therefrom, which thc applicant therein expressed an intention to apply for subsequently.

A represents the drive-wheels, rigidly secured upon the axle B, which is journaled to 7 revolve in bearings of the frame C, and D rep` resents the bed ol' a hai-vesting-machine. Upon this bed the grain falls in the process of cutting, and it may be carried thence to the bindingtable E by any suitable mechanism which will force a gavel against the bindingtwine F and form a bight in the latter, after which the descent of thc needle H completes the binding-loop, as shown in Fig. 17 partly in dotted lines. The ball or spool of twine is carried in a box, G, which is secured upon the frame ot' the machine. The twine ispassed from the box G through guideeyes G G2 to a groove in the back of the needle II, which groove it follows to the eye H of the needle, from which it extends across the path of the incoming gavel to thc crown-wheel I, which is a portion of the keeper, whereby its end is held, a spring-clamp, l', acting in conjunction with the said crown-wheel for that purpose. Any common tension device may be used to keep the twine tight. rIhe gavel being in the bight of the twine, the latter is closed around it to form a complete band by the, needle H swinging from the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 17, to the position shown in full lines. The needle II is a curved radial arm, its outer part forming an arc of a circle, and it is fixed at one end of its arm at a point revolve without revolving the cani.

nearly concentric with the said arc upon a rock-shaft, H2, which is j ournaled in posts H3 that are fixed at their lower ends to the fran-ie of the machine. f

H4 is an arm fixed to and projecting from the rock-shaft H2 through the loop of a camlever, J, which is fixed on one end of a rockshaft, J', that isjournaled in bearings J2, one of which projects from the main frame and the other from one of the posts H y J3 is an arm fixed to and depending from the other end of the rock-shaft J', and connected by a rod, J*, with a cani, J5, which is mounted loosely on the shaft K, so that the shaft may This cam is provided at one end with clutch-teeth to be engaged by a clutch, K', which is splined to the shaft K, so as to be forced to revolve therewith and yet be free to slide longitudinally thereon enough to engage or disengage the ,teeth of the cani.

K2 is a spur-wheel xed upon the shaft K and engaged by a pinion, K, which is splined to a shaft, K, and provided with a neck, Kl, whereby the said spur-wheel may be engaged by a hand-lever to be slid end'wise upon the shaft Ki to enga-ge or disengage the spurwheel K4 is a pinion rigidly fixed upon the shaft K6 to engage a spur-wheel, K5, that is fixed to the inner face of one of the drive-wheels A.

To cause the knot-tyer to operate, they wheels K2 and K3 are kept engaged, whereby the advance of the machine, causing the wheels A K5 to revolve, produces rotary motion in the.

train of wheels K* K3 K2 and the clutch K', so that they run continuously, thereby keeping in operation the various parts of the knot-tyer which are connected therewith, as before described.

29 represents a series of fingers looselyhung upon the needle-shaft H2, slautingly to the table E, across the path of the incoming grain, to be gradually raised thereby. The shifter 35 is engaged at one end with the groove in the clutch K', and is rigidly hung by the other end to a rock-shaft, 3l, which is jourualed in posts of the main frame and provided with a long-wristed crank, 30, that rides upon the fingers 29. When enough grain has been gathered to forin a full sheaf, the fingers 29 and crank 3() have been thereby raised to the height which causes the shifter 35 to move the clutch K' into engagement with the cam J5, which at one revolution first drives the rod J* forward to the right in Fig. 1, thereby depressing the earn-lever J, and with it the needle H, and carrying a bight of the twine F to a position to be united with its opposite end by the looper, and then returns these parts to their starting-point, when the clutch K' is disengaged froxn the caln by a device hereinafter described, leavingthe needle, Src., waiting for another gavel to be gathered. The crown- Wheel I is inverted and pivoted centrally to the under side of the table E, its downwardfaced scallops serving as teeth to carry the twine betweenthejaws of the'clamp I'. This,

clamp is formed of a piece of spring metal, arched and straddling the edge of the crownwheel and springing toward it to hold the twine thereto. 'The said elarnp is fixed to the table E a little to vone side ofthe path of the needle H, Figs'. l0 and 11.

represents a ratchet-wheel rigidly secured on top ofthe crown-wheel l, and 8l, Fig. Il, represents a detent provided with a spring, 82, to hold the crown-wheel from being turned backward when the twine held thereby is pulled upon in tying the knot.

83 is a pawl engaging at one end the teeth of wheel 80, and pivoted near the other end to a lever, 87, which is pivoted midway' to the under side of the binding-tableE.

84 is a roller mounted in the rear end of the pawl 83, to travel upon a curved plate, 85, which is pivoted to the table E, and is constantly pressed toward the roller by a' spring, 86. By this means the pawl 83 is kept against the wheel 8() throughout the movement of the driving-lever 87, and that in all positions of the machine without undue friction. rIhe opposite end of the lever 87 is provided with a slot, 88, to engage a pin, 89, which projects from theunder side of a slide-bar, 90. This bar 90 is fitted to slide in bearings on the under side of the table, and is rigidly connected with a rack-bar, 51, by a post, 91. The said rack-bar 51 is fit-ted to slide in the knetterfrarne 52, and is connected with one portion of the cani J5 by a rod, 50, to which it is jointed. The knotter-frame 52 is secured to the binding-table by depending posts 53. rlhe rack of teeth on the bar lenga'ge the teeth of the pinion 70,`which is mounted to revolve freely on the vertical shaft 63 of the looper. This shaft 63 is notched at 73, Fig. l2, and the pinion 70 is provided with a pawl, 71, impelled by a spr-ing, 72, to bear upon the shaft 63, so that when the pinion is revolved backward in the reciprocating motion of the rack the pawl 7l IOO IIO

will .drag over the notch 73, but when revolved 1 forward the pawl engages the notch and revolves the looper-shaft.

66 is a nut screwed upon the shaft 63,- and further securedthereto by apin, 67. The upper portion of the nut 66 is cylindrical, and provided with a notch, 68, at one side, into which the rounded nib of a spring, 69, enters, to prevent the looper from being revolved by friction and to hold it set with itsjaw 75 in position to begin service. 69 is sufficiently rounded to ride out of the notch in the nut 66 when force is applied to revolve the latter.

74 is the head,` of the looper neatly rounded, to allow a loop to slide off froniit when formed,

and slotted vertically to receive the jaw 75,4

which is journaled therein to oseillate on a pin, L. This jaw is provided with an arc of teeth on its heel to engage a rack, 64, whose stem extends down within the hollow shaft 63,which is vertically slotted to allow the passage of a pin, 62, whichconnects the rack 64 with a cir- The nib of spring eurnferentially-grooved ring, 61, which is ltted to slide longitudinally upon the shaft 63, whereby the rack 6ft is reciprocated, first opening the jaw 75, as shown in Fig. 14, and after a time closing it into the looper-head, asshown in Figs. 10 and 16. rIhis intermittent motion of the ring 61 is produced by the sliding rack 51 through the mediation of a ledge, 54, which is secured to depend from the rack 51, and terminates forward in a rising wedge and rearward in a depressing wedge, aided by a rcturning-spring, 57.

50 is a shifter, pivoted at its forward end to a stud, Z), which is fixed to the frame 52, bifurcated at its rear end, and provided with two pins projecting inward to engage the groove in the ring 61.

55 is a shoe, pivotcd near its middle to one side of the shifter56, between tianges thereon, tolimit its motion, and its ends are wedgeshaped in opposit-ion to the wedge ends ofthe ledge 51, whereby the ledge in its forward movement engages the under side ofthe shoe 55, and with it raises the shifter 56, ring 61, and rack 61, opening the jaw 75, and so holding the said parts while the length of theledge 5l slides beneath the shoe 55. When theledge passes the shoe, a spring, 57, Fig. 3, secured to the frame and acting on the shifter 56, pressesit down, returning all parts to place. The ledge. 5-1 iu its rearward movement passes over the shoe 55 without affecting the latter, unless it chances tobc stopped part way, then the ledge will press the shoe home.

5S is a pin projecting from the pivot of the shoe, and 59 is a' spring secured to the shifter k56, and bearing on the pin to depress the forward end of the shoe to insure its being passed over by the returning-ledge 5-1. In order to completethe knot with this tyer, thesheafmust be vigorously pushed away from the looper at a given time, to accomplish which l provide arms 10S, Fig. 1, fixed at one end of each upon a rockshaft, 107, which is ,iournaled in arms 105, which are fixed upon the needle-shaft H, and shaped at its forward end with a curved portion, 106, extending nearly half-way around Lhe needle-shalt, on the end of which curved portion is a friction-roller adapted to be engaged by a curved bar, 101, on being brought into the path thereof by the descent of the needle.

109, Fig. 7, represents a spring upon the rock-shaft 10T, acting between the needle-shaft HL' and the said rock-shaft to hold the arm 106 at rest on the needle-shaft, whereby the arms 10S are held in a plane nearly coincident with the general radial plane of thc needlearm.

The curved bar 10-t is pivoted at its lower end to a lever, 103,which is pivoted midway to a stud, d, that is a fixture of the frame, and the lower end ofthe said lever 103 is pivoted tothe rack-bar 51. 1n the latter part of the forward motion of the rack-bar it causes the curved bar 101 to engage the roller on the end of arm 106, and rocks the shaft107 and arms 108 downward and outward against the strain of the spring 109, whereby the arms 10S thrust the sheat'outward upon thetable. While the needle H descends fronrthe position shown in dotted lines, Fig. S, to the position shown in full lines, the ejector-arms 10S are moved passively therewith, bringing the arm 106 into the path of the curved bar or cam 10-l-. The return movement of the needle does not affect the ejector-arms. They, being engaged by the bar 10Jc acting on the arm 106, are forced outward, carrying the bundle onto the drop-leaf 99 ofthe table. \Vhen the bar 101 passes the arm 106, it is set free, and the ejector-arms are returnedtolheir normal positionby the spring 109, the arm 106 resting on the shaft H2. At this time the knife-blade 93 is brought forward and cuts the twine. The blade is pivoted between lugs 92 et' the slide-bar 90, in order that it may be swung from its plane of motion by thejaw as it revolves into contact therewith, and the said blade is restored to its normally-vertical position by a spring, 94, which is secured at one end to the bar 90 and presses at its other end against the side of the blade. rllhe slide-bar 90 not only revolves the crownwheel to catch the twine, and carries the blade 93 to cut the twine, but it tilts a portion of the binding-table at the right time to drop the bound sheaf. The outer port-ion, 99, is attached to the portion E of the bindingtable by hinges 100, and it is constantly pressed up into a horizontal position by a spring,102, which is coiled around the hinge-rod 98, one end of the spring resting against the initier' side ofthe part hl and the other end acting against under side of the movable part 99.

97 is an arm mounted to swing upward freely on the rod 9S, but engaging a shoulder on a collar, c, which is iixed to the rod,when swung downward beyond a given point.

96 is a plate having a curved wedge-shaped edge, 112, to engage the roller 101 on the end of the arm 97. The plate 96 is supported on an arm, 95, which projects horizontally from the post 91, that connects the bars and 51. The plate 96, in moving forward with the bar 51, engages its edge 113 with the roller 101 and swings the arm 97 upward and outward out of its path. The binding being completed, the bar 51 returns to its normal position, and in so doing engages the wedging-edge 112 of the plate 96 with the roller 101, causing arm 97 to engage the shoulder on the collar c, thereby twisting the rod 98 to tip the portion 99 of the table down to drop the bundle. After the passage of the plate 96, the spring 102 returns the portion 99 ol' the table to its normal position.

33, Fig. 1, represents an arm fixed upon the shaft 31, and 31 is a spring-latch adapted to catch the arm 33 when the shifter 35 throws the clutch K into engagement with the drivecam J, and hold the clutch engaged throughout one revolution ofthe cam, whereby every IOO working part once does duty and returns to place. Now a stud, 39, fixed on rod J*, trips the latch 34, leaving the arm 33 free, so that the weight ofthe crank or a spring will dis-Y K with the caxn J" and the arm 33 with the latch 34.

The cam J5, Operating through the rod J4, lever J3, rock shaft J,ca1n -lever J, arm H", needle-shaft H2, and needle H, brings a bight of the twine F alongside its iirst end and both parts of the twine beside the looperhead 74. Now the ledge 54, acting through the shoe 55, shifter`56, ring 6l, pin 62, and rack 64, opens the jaw 75, as in Figs. 14 and 15, bending the twine downward beneath it. Now the rack-bar 51, turning pinion 70, brings vthe pawl 71 1o engage shaft 63 at notch 73, and gives a revolution to the knetter 74, and with it the hook 75, in the direction ofthe arrows. In revolving, the toe 76 of the hook passes under the two parts of the twine and wedges them over the hook 77, forming a double loop around the head, as shown in Fig. 14 and 15. Now the ledge 54 passes from under the shoe 55, the spring 57 throws down the shifter 56, the collar 61, and rack 64 thereby returning thejaw into the head 74, carrying with it the two parts of the twine beneath the heel 77 of the hook, as in Fig. 16, and yholding the twine between the sides of the hook 7 7 and the cheeks of the head 74. Now the crown-wheel I is rotated one notch, taking a new hold of the twine at the needle and carrying it into the clamp l. Now the knife 93 cuts the two parts of the twine between the clamp and the looper, leaving the two ends of the twine held in the looper. Now the arms 108 are actuated to force the sheaf back on the table, thereby pulling the ends of the twine held by the heel 77 through the loop, and the force required to disengage the said ends from beneath the said heel lby direct pulling draws the knot tightly. Now the portion, 99, of the ,table operated through theagency of the arn 97 and wedge- 5o plate 96 swings down and drops the bound sheaf. Then the various parts are returned automatically, as described, to receive another gavel of grain. A short piece of twine is cut e oft' at each operation, and is gradually carried by the crown-wheel through t-he clamp and dropped. The groovein the back of the needle both guides the twine to the needles eye and shields the twine from entanglement .with the grain, and the outward curve of the needles radial arm keeps vthe twine drawn close into the groove.

What I claim as my invention., and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- Y 1. In a self-binding harvester, the combination of binding-table E, posts H, rising therefrom'at each end, ashaft, H2, journaled` in the said posts above the table, a curved needle, H,

secured at one end upon the said shaft, an arm, H, projecting from the shaft, the curved cam-lever J,to engage the arm Ht, the pendent arm J3, the rock-shaft J', journaled in fixed attachments of the frame and carrying the carnlever J and arm J3, the cam Jloosely mounted on a shaft,K, driven from the driving-gear of the machine, and means for intermittently connecting the said cam with the 'said shaft;V

and a rod, J, connecting the arm Jg with the cam J 5, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination of a needle, H, a shaft, H'Qtherefor, journaled in bearings, an arm, H, projecting radially from the shaft, a curved cam-lever, J, to engage the arm H, a rockshaft, J, to carry the cam-lever, journaled in attachments of the frame at right angles to the shaft H, and means for intermittently rocking the shaft J, substantially as shown and described.A

3. The combination of a binding-table, a crown-wheel pivoted to the under side thereof and provided with a circle of ratchet-teeth, 80, a spring-jawed clamp, I', astride the scalloped edge of the said crown-wheel and secured to the table, a slide-bar, 90, andl means for intermittently reciprocating the same longitudinally, a pin, 89, projecting from the slide-bar, a lever, 87, pivoted midway to the table, and having a slot, 88, in one end to engage the pin 89, and a pawl, 83, pivoted midway its length to the other end, the said pawl provided with a roller, 84, in its rear end, and adapted to engage lits forward end with the said ratchet-teeth 80,-a plate, 85, pivoted at one end to the table, and a spring, 86, secured to the table to press the plate 85 against the roller 84,substantially as shown and described.

4. The combination of the crown-wheel I, provided with the ratchet-wheel 80, the detent 81,'and spring 82, the pivoted lever 87 and means for oscillating the same, the pawl 83, pivoted midway its length to the said lever, to engage at one end the said ratchet-wheel, and provided with a roller, 84, at the other end, the plate 8 5, pivoted at one end to engage the said roller along its other or free end, and a spring, 86, actuating the plate to followr the motions of and press constantly upon the said roller, substantially as shown and described.

, 5. The combination of the cam K and means for revolvingthe same, a binding-table, E, the knetter-frame 52, depending from the said table, a looper comprising a head, 74, and

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means for engaging the twine, a shaft, 63, journaledin the pendent frame 52, a spur-wheel,70, on the said shaft, and a rack, 51, engaging the said spur-wheel, titted to slide in the pendent frame, and connected by hinged rod 50 with the said cam, substantially as shown and described.

6. The combination, with a binder-table, E, a knotter-frame, 52, depending therefrom, a knotter, substantially as described, journaled in the said frame, a pinion, 70, on the knotter-shaft, a crown-wheel, I, provided with 'a ratchet-wheel, 80, and journaled to the lower side of the said table, a spring saddle or clamp, I, engaging the scalloped edge of the crownwheel and secured to the table, a rack-bar, 51, engaging the knetter-pinion 70, and connected with reciprocating mechanism, a slide-bar, 90, rigidly secured to the rack-bar 51, and a spring-pawl, 83, engaging the ratchet-wheel 80 and connected with the slide-bar 90, substantially as shown and described.

7. The combination of the knetter-frame 52, the knotter described, having the hollow slotted shaft 68, with the jaw 75, and rack and stem 6l, the grooved ring 61, loosely iitted thereon, the pin 62, connecting the said rack and ring, the forked lever 56, pivoted to the said frame and engaging the ring 61, the shoe 55, pivoted to the side ot' the lever and having oppositely-wedging ends, and the ledge 5t, also having oppositely-wedging ends, a bar, 51, carrying the ledge 5l in a path to engage the shoe 55, and means for reciprocating the bar, substantially as shown and described.

8. The combination of the sliding bar 51, the ledge 54C, depending therefrom, the pivoted lever 5G, having the flanges 60 on one side, and the shoe 55, pivoted to swing between the said flanges.

9. The combination of the sliding bar 51, the ledge 54, depending therefrom, the pivoted lever 56, having the ilanges 60, the shoe 55, pivoted between the iianges upon a pin extending through one arm ot' the lever 56, a pin, 58, projecting laterally from the said pivot-pin, and a spring, 59, secured at one end to the lever 56, and acting at the other end on the pin 58, substantially as shown and described.

10. The combination of the needle-shaft H2 and its supports, the rock-shaft 10T, journaled in projections 105 on the needle-shaft, and provided with the curved arni 106 and a series of arms, 108, the spring 109, acting to raise the arms 108, the reciprocating bar 51, the lever 103, pivoted midway to a fixed stud, d, also pivoted at one end to the bar 5l, and a curved bar, 104, pivoted to the other end of the lever 103, to engage the end of arm 106, substantially as shown and described.

l1. rl`he combination of the reciprocating bar 90, having lugs 92, the blade 93, pivoted l hinge-rod, an arm, 97, loosely mounted 011 the said rod and provided with a shoulder to engage the said shouldered collar, and with an anti-friction roller, 101, and a curved wedgeshaped plate, 9G, mounted on the slide-rod 90 by means of the depending post 91 and lateral arm 95, substantially as shown and described.

13. The combination of the table, made in two parts, hinged together as described, and having the hinge-rod 78 fixed to the free portion ot' the table, and the spring 102 on the said rod, the shouldered collar e, fixed on the said rod, the arm 97, hung upon the said rod to swing upward freely, and provided with a shoulderl to engage the said shouldered collar in its downward motion, and the curved plate 96, mounted on reciprocating mechanism, to move in the path to engage the said arm 97, substantially as shown and described.

14. The combination, with the constantlyrevolving shaft, of the cam J5, the clutch K', adapted to engage therewith, the rock-shaft 3l and means whereby the increase of the gavel will rock it, the shifter-arm 35, hung rigidly to the said shaft 81, to engage the clutch K', the arm 33, rigidly hung midway upon the rock-shaft 31, the latch 34, adapted to c'atch the arm 33, the rod Jt, connected with the cam J, and the stud 39, xed to the rod J, to engage the latch 34, substantially as shown and described.

lIn testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE VILSON BLAKESLEE.

Witnesses:

En. S. Swain, NoRRis BROWN. 

